Trip from Columbia, MO to Merriam Woods, MO

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

3h 59m

Distance

202.3 mi

326 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 46m ★

6 AM

3h 59m

8 AM

4h 25m

10 AM

4h 8m

12 PM

4h 6m

3 PM

4h 10m

5 PM

4h 24m

8 PM

3h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Merriam Woods, MO

Sean Ewing

Trip Overview

The drive from Columbia, MO to Merriam Woods, MO covers 202.3 miles and takes about 3h 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 54, I 44, US 63 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 52.7 miles on US 54. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.63 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

101.2 miles from Columbia, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 202.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 59m highway drive covering 202.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 54 and I 44. The longest continuous stretch is about 52.7 miles on US 54.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 54 is the longest continuous segment at about 52.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 54 and I 44. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 28.8 miles in near US 63.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 202.3 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 28.8 miles (US 63): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

28.8 mi into trip | ~33m in | US 63

Take the exit onto US 63 toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City

88.2 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in

Take the exit toward MO 5 South, MO 7 South: Lebanon

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward MO 5 South, MO 7 South: Lebanon

114 mi into trip | ~2h 15m in

Take the exit toward I 44 West: Springfield

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 44 West: Springfield

160.5 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in

Take the exit toward US 65 South: Branson

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 82A Toward US 65 South: Branson

160.8 mi into trip | ~3h 6m in | US 65 / Schoolcraft Freeway

Merge onto US 65 / Schoolcraft Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 54	52.7 mi	1h
I 44	46.4 mi	49m
US 63	32.1 mi	35m
MO 5	24 mi	29m
American Legion Memorial Highway	12.1 mi	13m
US Highway 65	12 mi	13m
Schoolcraft Freeway	11 mi	13m
US 160	4.5 mi	6m

Longest stretch: US 54 — 52.7 mi, about 1h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, MO and Merriam Woods, MO.

Start on MO 163

1.0 mi · 2 min · North Providence Road

Turn left onto MO 740

2.2 mi · 3 min · East Stadium Boulevard

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Toward US 63 South: Jefferson City

Merge onto US 63

25 mi · 27 min · US 63

Take the exit onto US 63

6.6 mi · 8 min · US 63

Toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City

Continue on US 54

53 mi · 1 hr · US 54

Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Toward MO 5 South, MO 7 South: Lebanon

Merge onto MO 5; MO 7

24 mi · 29 min · MO 5; MO 7

Turn left onto MO 5; MO 64

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Jefferson Avenue

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec

Toward I 44 West: Springfield

Merge onto I 44

46 mi · 49 min · I 44

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec

Exit 82A Toward US 65 South: Branson

Merge onto US 65

11 mi · 13 min · Schoolcraft Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 65

11 mi · 12 min · American Legion Memorial Highway

Continue on US 65

12 mi · 13 min · US Highway 65

Continue on US 65

1.2 mi · 1 min · American Legion Memorial Highway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Toward US 160: Reed Springs Junction, Forsyth

Turn left onto US 160

4.3 mi · 6 min · US 160

Turn slight left onto US 160; MO 176

0.2 mi · 16 sec · US 160; MO 176

Turn slight right onto MO 176

1.1 mi · 1 min · MO 176

Turn left onto Old Trail Road

0.2 mi · 49 sec · Old Trail Road

Turn right onto North Homestead Road

0.1 mi · 31 sec · North Homestead Road

Turn right onto Maybe Lake Road

231 ft · 13 sec · Maybe Lake Road

Turn left onto Deerfield Road

0.2 mi · 57 sec · Deerfield Road

Arrive at destination

Deerfield Road

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 101.2 miles from Columbia, MO, or about 1h 59m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.7 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 45 miles or 53m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 101.2 miles or 1h 59m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Merriam Woods, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Columbia, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Columbia, MO

This is one driving day of about 202.3 miles and 3h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Columbia, MO.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on US 54 for about 52.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 101.2 mi from Columbia, MO · 1h 59m into the drive

city in and county seat of Laclede County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lebanon, MO

101 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Jefferson City, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lebanon, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 101.2 miles from Columbia, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Merriam Woods, MO

The final approach into Merriam Woods, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Merriam Woods, MO.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

National Battlefield

Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...

11 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 174.4

Caution: BE AWARE OF HIGH-WATER DANGER

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.63 one way

$63.25 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$34.73	$69.45
premium	$4.89	$38.93	$77.86
diesel	$5.61	$44.67	$89.33

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 70.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	60.7	0	$21.24	$9.71
Efficient EV	50.6	0	$17.70	$8.09
EV Truck/SUV	80.9	1	$28.32	$12.95

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Columbia, MO

Late night in Columbia on Friday

Local time

1:18 AM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Sunny

S 6 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Destination

Merriam Woods, MO

Late night in Merriam Woods on Friday

Local time

1:18 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

58°F

Lebanon, MO

101 mi in

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

6 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 59m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Columbia, MO to Merriam Woods, MO covers 202.3 miles and takes about 3h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 54, I 44, US 63. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 101.2 miles from Columbia, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.63 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

The route from Columbia, MO to Merriam Woods, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Merriam Woods, MO

Kansas City, MO 208 mi · 4h 8m

More from Columbia, MO

Bethany, MO 297.5 mi · 5h 55m Malden, MO 295.1 mi · 5h 45m Bloomfield, MO 264.7 mi · 5h 16m Sikeston, MO 255.4 mi · 4h 53m Shell Knob, MO 224 mi · 4h 34m West Plains, MO 188.9 mi · 4h

Weekend drives from Columbia, MO Scenic drives in MO

Explore more options from Columbia, MO or browse trips ending in Merriam Woods, MO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.